BACKGROUND
To simulate an ecosystem suitable for trout, TCA Biology students researched both biotic and abiotic factors of a trout ecosystem. The following is a description of the different parameters and how they will be met in our classroom As the information is updated, the student will write their wiki name and the date of the revision. The following is the most up to date information available to our school. Information in parenthesis is suspect. When corrected or verified, put the date, the website that supports the corrected or verified information and your wiki name. Extra credit will be given if the information is correct. We have included pictures and links to other related sites to help in our understanding of the topic. We also record the measurements of these parameter throughout the years.
The scientific name of the brown trout we are using for our experiment is Salmo trutta. Brown trout live up to 14 years and grow up to (15 cm long). The fertilized egg develops in gravel, the water flowing over the eggs provide oxygen for survival. While the trout is an embryo the eye and whole of the fish are nourished by the yolk. After about eight weeks they wiggle out their eggs. Next is the alevin stage, where they are called "sac fry". During this stage the trout do not have to eat because they get nourishment from the yolk sac. While in the water oxygen comes in the skin, and as the sac gets smaller the alevin begin to move around. They remain in or near the Redd until the yolk sac is fully absorbed. After that they move in to the fry to fingerlings stage. In this stage no sac is present. However they start to form vertical lines or Parr marks to help them hide in the grass. After this point they are now an adult. After about 2-3 years an adult male can aide in the reproduction process of the female. The female clears a spot for her nest with her tail called a Redd. Spawning happens in the Autumn, the female lay about 500-1,000 eggs that settle into the gravel, and start the cycle all over again. (Jeyi)
Brown trout aren't native to North America. They were brought over from Europe in the late 1800's. http://library.thinkquest.org/J001512/trout.html# (Jeyi)
ABIOTIC REQUIREMENTS:
(Define the term, Identify the level needed for trout (include units), describe how we will maintain this level in our ecosystem, create a table to capture the class data, create an excel spreadsheet and graph to monitor this level over the time we keep the trout - be sure to include optimal levels on the graph.
Temperature
(Robert 12/8/1)
Temperature is one of the principal parameters of temperature, which is measured in °F and °C. The survival range for trout is 35 to 75 °F (23 °C and 35 °C) and an optimum feeding range for most trout species is between about 50 and 65 °F (10 to 20 °C). There is no definite point when they will stop feeding as it gets colder, they will get more sluggish and feed less. Also, as it gets warmer the oxygen content will drop and they will feed less. Above 70 degrees Fahrenheit is a risk to the trout's health and survival is due to the low oxygen levels. By doing this we should keep our trout tank between 50 and 65 °F to keep optimum condition. For maintaining this level in our ecosystem, we have to control the temperature by using the chiller. If the temperature gets warmer, we can use the chiller to make the water colder. We have to check at least 5 days in a week, because the trout are sensitive to temperature.
pH
Joesph 03/03/2011
The pH is the potential of Hydrogen in a certain liquid, and it measures the acidity or basicity in a solution. You figure out the pH by measuring it with a pH indicator on a scale of 0-14. For our class we will use the kit, "Fresh Test" By Red Sea, to measure the pH.
An example would be a universal indicator: A Strong amount of acidity, 0-3, the indicator would turn red, mild acidity, 4-6, the indicator turns orange/yellow, an equal amount of acid and base , neutral, 7, the indicator turns green. For mild base, 8-11, the indicator would turn blue, and a strong base, 11-14, the indicator would turn purple.
The level of pH needed for our Brown Trout to survive needs to be between 7 and 7.2 .So in order to maintain this level in our ecosystem, we should check the pH level once every week so that it will help us monitor it so we know when to flush the tank waste..
In our class we check the pH every Monday. Here are the dates and pH results for the days we have tested it.
(Ben)
Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH3. It is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent odor. Ammonia will react with water to form a weak base. the term ammoniaAmmonia will react with water to form a weak base. The term ammonia refers to two chemical species which are in equilibrium in water (NH3, un-ionized and NH4+, ionized). Tests for ammonia usually measure total ammonia (NH3 plus NH4+). The toxicity to ammonia is primarily attributable to the un-ionized form (NH3), as opposed to the ionized form (NH4+). In general, more NH3 and greater toxicity exists at higher pH. When dissolved in water, normal ammonia (NH3) reacts to form an ionized species called ammonium (NH4+)
Jinsoo 2/22/12
Dissolved oxygen is the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water as an indication of the degree of health of the water and its ability is to support a balanced aquatic ecosystem. The amount of DO needed for the tank is 10ppm. We can maintain this rate by making sure that the bubblier is working properly, so that the trout won't be lacking any oxygen. We try to maintain this level of DO by checking the tank’s DO once a month. The steps of measuring the DO are that first we take 25mL of water from the tank, and then we take the ampoules into the 25mL of water, after that break the tip of the ampoules. Wait about 2 minutes then compare the color of the ampoules to the chart and record the data. Temperature also affects the amount of D.O. of the water. Colder temperatures will result in much amount of dissolved oxygen, higher or hotter temperatures will result in less amount of dissolved oxygen.
Jon , 4/5/11
Wastewater leaving wastewater treatment plants is often treated with chlorine before being released into the environment. Therefore, besides contaminating water resources with feces, the act of defecating into water often ultimately contributes to the contamination of water resources with chlorine.
Used since the early 1900s, chlorine is one of the most widely produced industrial chemicals. About 10 million metric tons are manufactured in the US each year - $72 billion worth.16 Annually, approximately 5%, or 1.2 billion pounds of the chlorine manufactured is used for wastewater treatment and drinking water "purification." The lethal liquid or green gas is mixed with the wastewater from sewage treatment plants in order to kill disease-causing microorganisms before the water is discharged into streams, lakes, rivers, and seas. It is also added to household drinking water via household and municipal water treatment systems. Chlorine kills microorganisms by damaging their cell membranes, which leads to a leakage of their proteins, RNA, and DNA.17
Chlorine (Cl2) doesn't exist in nature. It's a potent poison which reacts with water to produce a strongly oxidizing solution that can damage the moist tissue lining of the human respiratory tract. Ten to twenty parts per million (ppm) of chlorine gas in air rapidly irritates the respiratory tract; even brief exposure at levels of 1,000 ppm (one part in a thousand) can be fatal.18 Chlorine also kills fish, and reports of fish kills caused chlorine to come under the scrutiny of scientists in the 1970s.
The fact that harmful compounds are formed as by-products of chlorine use also raises concern. In 1976, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that chlorine use not only poisoned fish, but could also cause the formation of cancer-causing compounds such as chloroform. Some known effects of chlorine-based pollutants on animal life include memory problems, stunted growth and cancer in humans; reproductive problems in minks and otters; reproductive problems, hatching problems, and death in lake trout; and embryo abnormalities and death in snapping turtles.19
In a national study of 6,400 municipal wastewater treatment plants, the EPA estimated that two thirds of them used too much chlorine, exerting lethal effects at all levels of the aquatic food chain. Chlorine damages the gills of fish, inhibiting their ability to absorb oxygen. It also can cause behavioral changes in fish, thereby affecting migration and reproduction. Chlorine in streams can create chemical "dams" which prevent the free movement of some migratory fish. Fortunately, since 1984, there has been a 98% reduction in the use of chlorine by sewage treatment plants, although chlorine use continues to be a widespread problem because a lot of wastewater plants are still discharging it into small receiving waters.20
In the upper atmosphere, chlorine molecules from air pollution gobble up ozone; in the lower atmosphere, they bond with carbon to form organochlorines. Some of the 11,000 commercially used organochlorines include hazardous compounds such as DDT, PCBs, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride. Organochlorines rarely occur in nature, and living things have little defense against them. They've been linked not only to cancer, but also to neurological damage, immune suppression, and reproductive and developmental effects. When chlorine products are washed down the drain to a septic tank, they're producing organochlorines. Although compost microorganisms can degrade and make harmless many toxic chemicals, highly chlorinated compounds are disturbingly resistant to such biodegradation.22
"Any use of chlorine results in compounds that cause a wide range of ailments," says Joe Thorton, a Greenpeace researcher, who adds, "Chlorine is simply not compatible with life. Once you create it, you can't control it." 23 (not enough focus on Chlorine in trout tank)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jon 11/28/10 1. Humanure Handbook.'"Chlorine" Jenkins Publishing ( no revised date available) www.jenkinspublishing.com
CHLORAMINE
MELIZA, Bobbie 9/09
Commercial, scientific and residential fish owners have tanks and ponds that range from one gallon to several thousand gallons, and there is no "magic formula" for . We can give you some general ideas of what works or what others have done to neutralize chloramine: Activated charcoal (carbon) filtration systems Sodium thiosulfate (dechlorinates but doesn’t deal with ammonia) Commercially available dechloramination products (check the labels, since some simply remove the chlorine, while others "lock up" or detoxify the remaining ammonia) Catalytic ( GAC) carbon A chemical agent plus a biological filter (agent to remove chlorine, biofilter to remove the ammonia). It is important to test your pond water to make sure there is not a build-up of ammonia.
FACTS AND ANSWERS
Unlike chlorine, chloramine will not dissipate to the atmosphere by standing or aerating.
Boiling will not remove chloramine.
Chloramine passes through the gills of fish and directly enters their bloodstream.
In the blood, chloramine chemically binds to the iron in the hemoglobin in red blood cells causing a reduction in the cells capacity to carry oxygen.
Chemical additives for dechloraminating water you add to your tank or pond (makeup water) are available at pet/fish supply stores.
Sodium thiosulfate added to chloraminated water will neutralize chlorine, but ammonia is released.
Water should ideally be dechloraminated in a separate container to neutralize chlorine and ammonia before being added to a tank or pond.
A pond with an established biological filter (one that has cycled through the nitrogen cycle – has converted ammonia to nitrite to nitrate) can remove ammonia.
Chloramine (monochloramine) is a chemical compound with the formular NH2Cl. It is usually used as a dilute solution where it is used as a Disinfectant. The term chloramine also refers to a family of organic compounds with the formulas R2NCl and RNCl2 (R is an organic group). Dichloramine, NHCl2, and nitrogen trichloride, NCl3, are also well known. (Aquarium owners must remove the chloramine from their tap water because it is toxic to Fish. Aging the water for a few days removes chlorine but not the more stable chloramine, which can be neutralised using products available at pet stores)
BIOTIC REQUIREMENTS:
(Define the term, identify the level needed for trout (include units), describe how we will maintain this level in our ecosystem, create a table for the data, create an excel spreadsheet and graph to monitor this level over the time we keep the trout.
BACTERIA:Emily. 10.8.10
Bacteria are a division of microorganisms that cause various diseases, fermentation. The bacteria needed for the trout tank must be below the pH level 7. They need ionized ammonium, which actually comes from their waste and food and is not toxic. They also need nictrobacters, which convert nitrate to a lower toxic rate. Nitrate forms when nitrosomonas grow in large quantities and convert the ammonia to toxic nitrate. The nitrate levels will quickly decrease thanks to nitrobactors, and the nitrate will slowly increase. One we reach this point we have officially "cycled". To maintain this we will put plants in the tank and give them food so they can produce healthy ammonias. Also we will be checking the filters, lights, and pH levels. Population Density Catherine 10/30/10
. Population density is the population divided by the total land area. Low population densities could be caused by problems locating mates or inbreeding. One specific kind of population density (which is the one that most closely applies to our experiment) is ecological optimum. Ecological optimum is density of population, which can be supported by the natural resources.
The Esopus River (which is where we will release the trout) is one of the most productive trout streams in the Northeast. It stays that way because there are protection groups, such as Trout Unlimited. Back in 1883 and 1884, New York began stocking thousands of fish into the river. And over a century later, New York is continuing these regular stockings of brown trout, making them the stream's dominant fish. But in 2009, an algae species called Didymosphenia geminata, also known as rock snot, was found to be endangering to the trout. Why? Because it grows at the bottom of the river, and places itself over insect hatches which trout rely on as a food source. So, all in all, the population of the trout is not at risk, and the population density of the river is average.
The tank where we will be raising the trout is 50 gallons. So, if (and hopefully when) the trout grow to their full length (refer back to LIFE CYCLE), there should be only four trout in order for them to live comfortably. So, technecally, there should be only 1.25 trout per 10 gallons. But this is only an educated guess. How we raise the trout, their eating habits, and aggressivness also effect this. Bibliography:
"Esopus Creek." Wikipedia Mobile. 29 Sept 2010. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esopus_Creek
This is the background information for trout deaths. We keep the trout's tank clean and tested Cl, DO, NH3, pH, Tank Temperature and Chiller Temperature every day. We vacuum our tank to get the impurities out about twice a month, so the tank is cleaner than before. Mrs. G. bought a tank preparation kit (in 2010) that included more bacteria, because bacteria levels were low and bacteria helps to clean the fishes' wastes. The fishes' wastes contain ammonia, which can eventually kill them if it is not removed. (Benjamin 12/10)
Out trout were dying at an alarming pace. We tried fixing the chemicals, but the fish continued to die. Then we hypothesized that the levels of the wrong type nitrogen were
too high. This could be possible because there is no nitrogen test, and all our other tests turned out right. We decided that to fix the problem we should
increase the amount of bacteria colonies in the tank, so we ordered special bacteria colonies from a company and our tank has seen a far less severe death rate. According to the records, this is at least the second time this has happened. (Benjamin 11/29)
Below is a picture of a baby trout from Trout Conservancy in Hughes Creek, Idaho. This baby is only about three quarters of an inch long and is not doing well. Shortly after this picture was taken this baby trout died.
Trout are carnivores, so they are only capable of eating meat. In the wild, they normally live on small organisms in the water environments with them. In our class, we feed them trout food, specially processed insects crushed into specific standard sizes of small pieces. Trout can not have normal fish food because normal fish food is crushed plants, which trout cannot eat being carnivores.
Food is very important for the trout. When they are first born, they don't eat our food, instead eating their attached "yolk" sack. They begin to eat the trout food when the sack is almost gone. During this 2011-2012 school year, we had a problem with underfeeding of the trout, so they began to eat other trouts. Two fish died as a result of underfeeding.
Trout food comes in three different sizes, the smallest size starting at zero. Feeding of the trout begins once the trouts' sacks are almost gone. The trout have to be kept in a special small basket in a corner of the tank in their early life stages, where they are eventually fed so that in the tight spacing they learn what the food source isf. After the trout reach about 1" in length we switch switch their food to size 1. And then when your fish reach 1 1/2" it is time to switch to size 2. It is important to remember that they are small fish and they do not require as much food as you may think. Over feeding could be very detrimental to the fish, this is because whatever the fish do not eat the bacteria will. The bacteria will eventually kill the fish by infecting them if they are not kept out of the tank water. (Ben 3.1.12)
The growth of the fish is the rate at which the trout is processing through its stages of life, or from the stage of the egg to the adult. Growth can be determined by several variables, such as the amount of food consumption, the levels of ammonia and pH, and also to ensure that the environment remains constant. Although they can grow rapidly, they do not have a very prolonged life span.
Depending on their environment, brown trout can range from 2.5 to 10 pounds, and their length being between 14 to 24 inches. We are keeping track of their growing sizes using a scale that is attached to the inside of the tank, and as they swim past the ruler, we can record their growth.
First, our brown trout are in the fry stage of their life cycle, and have grown large enough in which they could leave the cage and swim throughout the tank. They have been known to grow to the size of 2cm in this stage. See the top of this page for more info on the trout life cycle. (Benjamin 12/10)
(Robert 6/12/2012)
Date
Data
10.25.2011
alvin stage
10.26.2011
alvin stage
10.27.2011
alvin stage
10.28.2011
alvin stage
10.31.2011
alvin stage
11.1.2011
alvin stage
11.2.2011
alvin stage
11.3.2011
20% fingerlings
11.4.2011
20% fingerlings
11.7.2011
50% fingerlings
11.8.2011
50% fingerlings
11.9.2011
75% fingerlings
11.10.2011
all fingerlings
11.15.2011
fingerling stage
11.16.2011
fingerling stage
11.17.2011
fingerling stage
11.21.2011
fingerling stage
11.22.2011
fingerling stage
12.9.2011
fingerling stage
1.31.2012
5cm
2.1.2012
5cm
2.2.2012
5cm
2.6.2012
6cm
2.7.2012
6cm
2.8.2012
6cm
2.9.2012
6cm
2.10.2012
6cm
2.13.2012
6cm
2.14.2012
6cm
2.15.2012
6cm
2.21.2012
6cm
2.22.2012
6cm
2.23.2012
6cm
2.24.2012
6cm
2.27.2012
6cm
2.28.2012
6cm
2.29.2012
6cm
2.29.2012
6cm
3.1.2012
6cm
3.2.2012
6cm
3.6.2012
6cm
3.7.2012
6cm
3.8.2012
6cm
3.9.2012
6cm
3.12.2012
6cm
3.13.2012
6cm
3.14.2012
6cm
3.15.2012
6cm
3.19.2012
6cm
3.20.2012
6cm
3.21.2012
6cm
3.22.2012
6cm
4.17.12
6cm
4.18.12
6cm
4.19.12
6cm
4.20.12
6cm
4.21.12
6cm
4.24.12
6cm
4.25.12
6cm
4.26.12
6cm
4.27.12
6cm
4.30.12
7cm
5.1.12
7cm
5.2.12
7cm
5.4.12
7cm
5.5.12
7cm
5.6.12
7cm
5.7.12
7cm
5.8.12
7cm
5.9.12
7cm
5.10.12
7cm
5.14.12
7cm
5.15.12
7cm
5.16.12
7cm
5.18.12
7cm
5.21.12
7cm
Here are some trout in their early growth stages: [4]
This is an alevin.
Directions to clean tank: first you take out the hose. then you screw the end of the hose to the sink. you put the other end of the hose into the fish tank then turn the water at the sink on. then you go around the bottom of the tank and make sure you get most of the particals out of the water. once you have done this push up on where the hose is connected to the sink until the water is going in to the fish tank. after you fill the tank be sure to put the the chemical that will get rid or the chlorine in the water the put the lid of the tank on and clean up the mess. Dates of tank cleaning:
12/20/2011
1/15/2012
BACKGROUNDTo simulate an ecosystem suitable for trout, TCA Biology students researched both biotic and abiotic factors of a trout ecosystem. The following is a description of the different parameters and how they will be met in our classroom As the information is updated, the student will write their wiki name and the date of the revision. The following is the most up to date information available to our school. Information in parenthesis is suspect. When corrected or verified, put the date, the website that supports the corrected or verified information and your wiki name. Extra credit will be given if the information is correct. We have included pictures and links to other related sites to help in our understanding of the topic. We also record the measurements of these parameter throughout the years.
The scientific name of the brown trout we are using for our experiment is Salmo trutta. Brown trout live up to 14 years and grow up to (15 cm long). The fertilized egg develops in gravel, the water flowing over the eggs provide oxygen for survival. While the trout is an embryo the eye and whole of the fish are nourished by the yolk. After about eight weeks they wiggle out their eggs. Next is the alevin stage, where they are called "sac fry". During this stage the trout do not have to eat because they get nourishment from the yolk sac. While in the water oxygen comes in the skin, and as the sac gets smaller the alevin begin to move around. They remain in or near the Redd until the yolk sac is fully absorbed. After that they move in to the fry to fingerlings stage. In this stage no sac is present. However they start to form vertical lines or Parr marks to help them hide in the grass. After this point they are now an adult. After about 2-3 years an adult male can aide in the reproduction process of the female. The female clears a spot for her nest with her tail called a Redd. Spawning happens in the Autumn, the female lay about 500-1,000 eggs that settle into the gravel, and start the cycle all over again. (Jeyi)
Brown trout aren't native to North America. They were brought over from Europe in the late 1800's. http://library.thinkquest.org/J001512/trout.html# (Jeyi)
ABIOTIC REQUIREMENTS:
(Define the term, Identify the level needed for trout (include units), describe how we will maintain this level in our ecosystem, create a table to capture the class data, create an excel spreadsheet and graph to monitor this level over the time we keep the trout - be sure to include optimal levels on the graph.Temperature
(Robert 12/8/1)
Temperature is one of the principal parameters of temperature, which is measured in °F and °C. The survival range for trout is 35 to 75 °F (23 °C and 35 °C) and an optimum feeding range for most trout species is between about 50 and 65 °F (10 to 20 °C). There is no definite point when they will stop feeding as it gets colder, they will get more sluggish and feed less. Also, as it gets warmer the oxygen content will drop and they will feed less. Above 70 degrees Fahrenheit is a risk to the trout's health and survival is due to the low oxygen levels. By doing this we should keep our trout tank between 50 and 65 °F to keep optimum condition. For maintaining this level in our ecosystem, we have to control the temperature by using the chiller. If the temperature gets warmer, we can use the chiller to make the water colder. We have to check at least 5 days in a week, because the trout are sensitive to temperature.
Table
TEMPERATURE (Robert Bouffard 12/8/11)
Link
http://chestofbooks.com/outdoors/fishing/Fish-Hatching-Fish-Catching/Adult-Trout-Part-4-Temperature-Of-Water.html
http://images.google.co.kr/imgres?imgurl=http://www.coalcreekaml.com/images/TroutClassroomHatchedBriceEggs.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.coalcreekaml.com/TroutHatcheryBricevilleSchool.htm&usg=__LjQr8XG-JN4EuOd4s8dnwkjHjVo=&h=272&w=363&sz=22&hl=ko&start=16&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=vGpQV674I_BgNM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=121&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtrout%2Btemperature%26hl%3Dko%26lr%3D%26rlz%3D1T4ADFA_koUS346US349%26sa%3DX%26um%3D1%26newwindow%3D1
Picture
Bibliography (Jeyi)
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/Aquarium-chillers/ - chiller brand
http://images.google.co.kr/imgres?imgurl=http://www.biology-blog.com/images/blogs/9-2009/limit-troutJoseph Lim 10/4/10)-numbers.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.biology-blog.com/blogs/archives/Animal-science-blog/Nov-17-Joseph Lim 10/4/10)2009.html&usg=__h6QAAqGyNTuETQPkDRVfT_vJJfY=&h=300&w=400&sz=33&hl=ko&start=4&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=3QfuvQx5U-Joseph Lim 10/4/10)-( Jon 11/12/10) - picture
http://photo-dictionary.com/photofiles/list/682/1092thermometer.jpg
pH (Jeyi 11/22/11) (Nathan 3/27/12) (Sonia 6/8/120
pH
Joesph 03/03/2011
The pH is the potential of Hydrogen in a certain liquid, and it measures the acidity or basicity in a solution. You figure out the pH by measuring it with a pH indicator on a scale of 0-14. For our class we will use the kit, "Fresh Test" By Red Sea, to measure the pH.
An example would be a universal indicator: A Strong amount of acidity, 0-3, the indicator would turn red, mild acidity, 4-6, the indicator turns orange/yellow, an equal amount of acid and base , neutral, 7, the indicator turns green. For mild base, 8-11, the indicator would turn blue, and a strong base, 11-14, the indicator would turn purple.
The level of pH needed for our Brown Trout to survive needs to be between 7 and 7.2 .So in order to maintain this level in our ecosystem, we should check the pH level once every week so that it will help us monitor it so we know when to flush the tank waste..
In our class we check the pH every Monday. Here are the dates and pH results for the days we have tested it.
(Ben)
Bibliography:
Couchman, Mat. "Farming of Brown Trout - The Basics" Fisheries Management June 1, 2007. September 30, 2010
http://www.fisheriesmanagement.co.uk/Fish%20Studies/brown_trout.htm
"Trout Care" Trout in The Classroom November 1, 2010 September 30, 2010
http://www.troutintheclassroom.org/teachers/technical-information/trout-care
"Red Sea pHarm pH Fresh lab Test" Akoss Pet Store November 1, 2010. November 1, 2010
http://www.akoss.net/pet-store/pet-shopper.php?fr=500&c=Fish
AMMONIA
Danyi Zhao11/1/11Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH3. It is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent odor. Ammonia will react with water to form a weak base. the term ammoniaAmmonia will react with water to form a weak base. The term ammonia refers to two chemical species which are in equilibrium in water (NH3, un-ionized and NH4+, ionized). Tests for ammonia usually measure total ammonia (NH3 plus NH4+). The toxicity to ammonia is primarily attributable to the un-ionized form (NH3), as opposed to the ionized form (NH4+). In general, more NH3 and greater toxicity exists at higher pH. When dissolved in water, normal ammonia (NH3) reacts to form an ionized species called ammonium (NH4+)
"Ammonia" Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia November 14, 2010. November 15, 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammoniaif
"Ammonia Toxicity" Data Guru November 14, 2010. November 15, 2010. http://www.dataguru.org/misc/aquarium/AmmoniaTox.html
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
Jinsoo 2/22/12Dissolved oxygen is the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water as an indication of the degree of health of the water and its ability is to support a balanced aquatic ecosystem. The amount of DO needed for the tank is 10ppm. We can maintain this rate by making sure that the bubblier is working properly, so that the trout won't be lacking any oxygen. We try to maintain this level of DO by checking the tank’s DO once a month. The steps of measuring the DO are that first we take 25mL of water from the tank, and then we take the ampoules into the 25mL of water, after that break the tip of the ampoules. Wait about 2 minutes then compare the color of the ampoules to the chart and record the data. Temperature also affects the amount of D.O. of the water. Colder temperatures will result in much amount of dissolved oxygen, higher or hotter temperatures will result in less amount of dissolved oxygen.
mg/L)
Chlorine
Jon , 4/5/11Wastewater leaving wastewater treatment plants is often treated with chlorine before being released into the environment. Therefore, besides contaminating water resources with feces, the act of defecating into water often ultimately contributes to the contamination of water resources with chlorine.
Used since the early 1900s, chlorine is one of the most widely produced industrial chemicals. About 10 million metric tons are manufactured in the US each year - $72 billion worth.16 Annually, approximately 5%, or 1.2 billion pounds of the chlorine manufactured is used for wastewater treatment and drinking water "purification." The lethal liquid or green gas is mixed with the wastewater from sewage treatment plants in order to kill disease-causing microorganisms before the water is discharged into streams, lakes, rivers, and seas. It is also added to household drinking water via household and municipal water treatment systems. Chlorine kills microorganisms by damaging their cell membranes, which leads to a leakage of their proteins, RNA, and DNA.17
Chlorine (Cl2) doesn't exist in nature. It's a potent poison which reacts with water to produce a strongly oxidizing solution that can damage the moist tissue lining of the human respiratory tract. Ten to twenty parts per million (ppm) of chlorine gas in air rapidly irritates the respiratory tract; even brief exposure at levels of 1,000 ppm (one part in a thousand) can be fatal.18 Chlorine also kills fish, and reports of fish kills caused chlorine to come under the scrutiny of scientists in the 1970s.
The fact that harmful compounds are formed as by-products of chlorine use also raises concern. In 1976, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that chlorine use not only poisoned fish, but could also cause the formation of cancer-causing compounds such as chloroform. Some known effects of chlorine-based pollutants on animal life include memory problems, stunted growth and cancer in humans; reproductive problems in minks and otters; reproductive problems, hatching problems, and death in lake trout; and embryo abnormalities and death in snapping turtles.19
In a national study of 6,400 municipal wastewater treatment plants, the EPA estimated that two thirds of them used too much chlorine, exerting lethal effects at all levels of the aquatic food chain. Chlorine damages the gills of fish, inhibiting their ability to absorb oxygen. It also can cause behavioral changes in fish, thereby affecting migration and reproduction. Chlorine in streams can create chemical "dams" which prevent the free movement of some migratory fish. Fortunately, since 1984, there has been a 98% reduction in the use of chlorine by sewage treatment plants, although chlorine use continues to be a widespread problem because a lot of wastewater plants are still discharging it into small receiving waters.20
In the upper atmosphere, chlorine molecules from air pollution gobble up ozone; in the lower atmosphere, they bond with carbon to form organochlorines. Some of the 11,000 commercially used organochlorines include hazardous compounds such as DDT, PCBs, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride. Organochlorines rarely occur in nature, and living things have little defense against them. They've been linked not only to cancer, but also to neurological damage, immune suppression, and reproductive and developmental effects. When chlorine products are washed down the drain to a septic tank, they're producing organochlorines. Although compost microorganisms can degrade and make harmless many toxic chemicals, highly chlorinated compounds are disturbingly resistant to such biodegradation.22
"Any use of chlorine results in compounds that cause a wide range of ailments," says Joe Thorton, a Greenpeace researcher, who adds, "Chlorine is simply not compatible with life. Once you create it, you can't control it." 23
(not enough focus on Chlorine in trout tank)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jon 11/28/101. Humanure Handbook.'"Chlorine" Jenkins Publishing ( no revised date available)
www.jenkinspublishing.com
CHLORAMINE
MELIZA, Bobbie 9/09Commercial, scientific and residential fish owners have tanks and ponds that range from one gallon to several thousand gallons, and there is no "magic formula" for . We can give you some general ideas of what works or what others have done to neutralize chloramine:
Activated charcoal (carbon) filtration systems
Sodium thiosulfate (dechlorinates but doesn’t deal with ammonia)
Commercially available dechloramination products (check the labels, since some simply remove the chlorine, while others "lock up" or detoxify the remaining ammonia)
Catalytic ( GAC) carbon
A chemical agent plus a biological filter (agent to remove chlorine, biofilter to remove the ammonia). It is important to test your pond water to make sure there is not a build-up of ammonia.
FACTS AND ANSWERS
Unlike chlorine, chloramine will not dissipate to the atmosphere by standing or aerating.
Boiling will not remove chloramine.
Chloramine passes through the gills of fish and directly enters their bloodstream.
In the blood, chloramine chemically binds to the iron in the hemoglobin in red blood cells causing a reduction in the cells capacity to carry oxygen.
Chemical additives for dechloraminating water you add to your tank or pond (makeup water) are available at pet/fish supply stores.
Sodium thiosulfate added to chloraminated water will neutralize chlorine, but ammonia is released.
Water should ideally be dechloraminated in a separate container to neutralize chlorine and ammonia before being added to a tank or pond.
A pond with an established biological filter (one that has cycled through the nitrogen cycle – has converted ammonia to nitrite to nitrate) can remove ammonia.
Chloramine (monochloramine) is a chemical compound with the formular NH2Cl. It is usually used as a dilute solution where it is used as a Disinfectant. The term chloramine also refers to a family of organic compounds with the formulas R2NCl and RNCl2 (R is an organic group). Dichloramine, NHCl2, and nitrogen trichloride, NCl3, are also well known.
(Aquarium owners must remove the chloramine from their tap water because it is toxic to Fish. Aging the water for a few days removes chlorine but not the more stable chloramine, which can be neutralised using products available at pet stores)
BIOTIC REQUIREMENTS:
(Define the term, identify the level needed for trout (include units), describe how we will maintain this level in our ecosystem, create a table for the data, create an excel spreadsheet and graph to monitor this level over the time we keep the trout.BACTERIA:Emily. 10.8.10
Bacteria are a division of microorganisms that cause various diseases, fermentation. The bacteria needed for the trout tank must be below the pH level 7. They need ionized ammonium, which actually comes from their waste and food and is not toxic. They also need nictrobacters, which convert nitrate to a lower toxic rate. Nitrate forms when nitrosomonas grow in large quantities and convert the ammonia to toxic nitrate. The nitrate levels will quickly decrease thanks to nitrobactors, and the nitrate will slowly increase. One we reach this point we have officially "cycled". To maintain this we will put plants in the tank and give them food so they can produce healthy ammonias. Also we will be checking the filters, lights, and pH levels.Population Density Catherine 10/30/10
.
Population density is the population divided by the total land area. Low population densities could be caused by problems locating mates or inbreeding. One specific kind of population density (which is the one that most closely applies to our experiment) is ecological optimum. Ecological optimum is density of population, which can be supported by the natural resources.
The Esopus River (which is where we will release the trout) is one of the most productive trout streams in the Northeast. It stays that way because there are protection groups, such as Trout Unlimited. Back in 1883 and 1884, New York began stocking thousands of fish into the river. And over a century later, New York is continuing these regular stockings of brown trout, making them the stream's dominant fish. But in 2009, an algae species called Didymosphenia geminata, also known as rock snot, was found to be endangering to the trout. Why? Because it grows at the bottom of the river, and places itself over insect hatches which trout rely on as a food source. So, all in all, the population of the trout is not at risk, and the population density of the river is average.
The tank where we will be raising the trout is 50 gallons. So, if (and hopefully when) the trout grow to their full length (refer back to LIFE CYCLE), there should be only four trout in order for them to live comfortably. So, technecally, there should be only 1.25 trout per 10 gallons. But this is only an educated guess. How we raise the trout, their eating habits, and aggressivness also effect this.
Bibliography:
"Esopus Creek." Wikipedia Mobile. 29 Sept 2010. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esopus_Creek
"Population Density." Wikipedia Mobile. 29 Sept 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_density
"Fish Quantity Calculator." Aquariumlife.net. 30 Oct 2010. http://www.aquariumlife.net/fishres.asp
DEATH
This is the background information for trout deaths. We keep the trout's tank clean and tested Cl, DO, NH3, pH, Tank Temperature and Chiller Temperature every day. We vacuum our tank to get the impurities out about twice a month, so the tank is cleaner than before. Mrs. G. bought a tank preparation kit (in 2010) that included more bacteria, because bacteria levels were low and bacteria helps to clean the fishes' wastes. The fishes' wastes contain ammonia, which can eventually kill them if it is not removed. (Benjamin 12/10)
Out trout were dying at an alarming pace. We tried fixing the chemicals, but the fish continued to die. Then we hypothesized that the levels of the wrong type nitrogen were
too high. This could be possible because there is no nitrogen test, and all our other tests turned out right. We decided that to fix the problem we should
increase the amount of bacteria colonies in the tank, so we ordered special bacteria colonies from a company and our tank has seen a far less severe death rate. According to the records, this is at least the second time this has happened. (Benjamin 11/29)
(Robert 4/10/2012)
Here are a few really interesting links. Check it out!
http://www.springerlink.com/content/pj88004733314348/
http://www.ecostudies.org/ecofocus_2009-11-22.html
Below is a picture of a baby trout from Trout Conservancy in Hughes Creek, Idaho. This baby is only about three quarters of an inch long and is not doing well. Shortly after this picture was taken this baby trout died.
Bibliography
R. Barnwell Roosevelt, Seth Green. "Fish Hatching, and Fish Catching." Adult Trout. Part 4. Temperature Of Water. February 22, 2009. December 13, 2009.
<http://chestofbooks.com/outdoors/fishing/Fish-Hatching-Fish-Catching/index.html>
Terrence Dehring, Charles C. Krueger. "Brown Trout Life History." browntrout.pdf(application/pdf Object). December 13, 2009.
<http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/fish/lakemich/browntrout.pdf>
"The death of a brown trout." Shenandoah National Park- Brown Trout(U.S.National Park Service). February 12, 2008. December 13, 2009.
<http://www.nps.gov/shen/naturescience/brown-trout.htm>
"Dead Trout Image." North East Wales/Water firm pollution killed fish.
July 28, 2007. December 28, 2009.
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_east/6919918.stm>
FOOD
Trout are carnivores, so they are only capable of eating meat. In the wild, they normally live on small organisms in the water environments with them. In our class, we feed them trout food, specially processed insects crushed into specific standard sizes of small pieces. Trout can not have normal fish food because normal fish food is crushed plants, which trout cannot eat being carnivores.Food is very important for the trout. When they are first born, they don't eat our food, instead eating their attached "yolk" sack. They begin to eat the trout food when the sack is almost gone. During this 2011-2012 school year, we had a problem with underfeeding of the trout, so they began to eat other trouts. Two fish died as a result of underfeeding.
Trout food comes in three different sizes, the smallest size starting at zero. Feeding of the trout begins once the trouts' sacks are almost gone. The trout have to be kept in a special small basket in a corner of the tank in their early life stages, where they are eventually fed so that in the tight spacing they learn what the food source isf. After the trout reach about 1" in length we switch switch their food to size 1. And then when your fish reach 1 1/2" it is time to switch to size 2. It is important to remember that they are small fish and they do not require as much food as you may think. Over feeding could be very detrimental to the fish, this is because whatever the fish do not eat the bacteria will. The bacteria will eventually kill the fish by infecting them if they are not kept out of the tank water. (Ben 3.1.12)
Food Bibliography
"Trout In the Classroom Program." Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Home Page. Web.13 Nov. 2010. http://www.fish.state.pa.us/tic.htm.
Miranda,, By Kay. "Trout's Life Cycle | EHow.com." EHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles.
Web. 13 Nov. 2010. http://www.ehow.com/about_5314452_trouts-life-cycle.html.
"Brown Trout (salmo Trutta)." Fishing England, Scotland and Wales for Salmon, Trout, Coarse, Carp and Sea Angling.
Web. 13 Nov. 2010. <http://www.fishingnet.com/brown_trout.htm>.
This is a interesting link!!:)
http://www.streamexplorers.org/fish-facts/trout-life-cycle
Growth
The growth of the fish is the rate at which the trout is processing through its stages of life, or from the stage of the egg to the adult. Growth can be determined by several variables, such as the amount of food consumption, the levels of ammonia and pH, and also to ensure that the environment remains constant. Although they can grow rapidly, they do not have a very prolonged life span.
Depending on their environment, brown trout can range from 2.5 to 10 pounds, and their length being between 14 to 24 inches. We are keeping track of their growing sizes using a scale that is attached to the inside of the tank, and as they swim past the ruler, we can record their growth.
First, our brown trout are in the fry stage of their life cycle, and have grown large enough in which they could leave the cage and swim throughout the tank. They have been known to grow to the size of 2cm in this stage. See the top of this page for more info on the trout life cycle. (Benjamin 12/10)
(Robert 6/12/2012)
Here are some trout in their early growth stages:
This is an alevin.
Here are some Brown trout as fry.
Some interesting links:
http://www.hooked-on-flies.com/trout_basics.htm
http://www.streamexplorers.org/fish-facts/trout-life-cycle
Tank Cleaning (Robert, Jarred 4/12/12)
Directions to clean tank:first you take out the hose. then you screw the end of the hose to the sink. you put the other end of the hose into the fish tank then turn the water at the sink on. then you go around the bottom of the tank and make sure you get most of the particals out of the water. once you have done this push up on where the hose is connected to the sink until the water is going in to the fish tank. after you fill the tank be sure to put the the chemical that will get rid or the chlorine in the water the put the lid of the tank on and clean up the mess.
Dates of tank cleaning:
12/20/2011
1/15/2012